BMS Pirates sail ahead in state playoffs

INEZ, Ky. - The Belfry Middle School defense came out in full force Tuesday night, steering the Pirates in the right direction, in their 42-8 state playoff win against the Martin County Cardinals.

After holding the Cardinal offense on their first possession, the BMS special teams came up with a big blocked punt, giving the Pirate offense great field position for their first offensive drive. The Pirate offense wasted no time hitting the end zone as quarterback Cameron Catron hooked up with tight end Cole Bentley for 16-yard TD pass.

After another Pirate defensive stop, Belfry took over on downs. That led to yet another TD as Catron connected with Devin Varney for a for a 30-yard score. The 2-point conversion by Andrew Fletcher made it 14-0.

The Cardinals took to the air in their next offensive drive and Catron came up with an interception and returned it 46 yards to pay-dirt. The score stood at 20-0 at the half.

Following a failed onside kick attempt by the Cardinals, the Pirates wasted no time scoring again. After a 40- yard run by Varney, Austin Hall blasted into the end zone from eight yards out. After Fletchers 2-point conversion, the Pirates upped their lead to 28-0. The Pirates special teams once again showed their dominance by causing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and recovered the pigskin to have great field position again. The Martin County defense couldn’t keep the Pirates out of the end zone. Varney scored once again from four yards out to finish a 5-play, 42-yard drive. Austin Woolum kicked the extra point and increased the score to 35-0.

To the cap off the game for Belfry Middle School, Ray Horton bulldozed his way from to the end zone from 16 yards out on the only offensive play for the Pirates in the 4th quarter. The Pirates led 42-0.

The Cardinals scored late in the final quarter with a TD and 2-point conversion for Defensive leaders for BMS were Horton with seven tackles, Bentley and Josh Thacker had six each, while Fletcher and Catron had five each. The Pirates will be back in action Saturday night as they take on Greenup County on the road at 6:00 p.m. as they continue their quest for a state title.